Herbert von Karajan

BEETHOVEN Missa solemnis Karajan DVD-VID 0734391

[477 7156]: The burnished brilliance of the playing, the finely-spun lines and perfectly sculpted dramatic climaxes -- and Michael Schwalbe's violin solos -- altogether shows one of the greatest Straussian teams at its peak.[477 7157]: The "Eroica" and No. 4 are potent reminders of the power and pace, the plush string sound and stunning brass . . .[477 7161]: Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra . . . profits from the super-sophisticated sheen which by the mid-'60s also sustains Karajan's Debussy and Ravel . . . the colours of "La Mer" and "Daphnis" are very seductive.[477 7163]: Karajan's collection of "Opera Intermezzi" is a real pleasure: fine-spun strings, verismo drama, and space to appreciate the delicate beauty of these gems, from Verdi to Mascagni.[477 7164]: . . . genuinely moving . . .[477 7165]: Youthful poise meets urbane sophistication, to the benefit of both, and also of Beethoven.[073 4386]: You can watch the long line at work in the seamless cello melody of the Third's Poco allegretto -- no 'breaths' between phrases -- while the hard-hitting First and Fourth . . . always rhythmically well define, move naturally to their craggy peak.